In order to effectively communicate during an off-season that would have been unimaginable just two short months ago, we must not fear what we do not know. As coaches and leaders, we are often expected to have all of the answers, but in times like these, it may feel like we are swimming in a sea of uncertainty. To cope with the ambiguity that exists across the nation and at our respective schools, it is important to state the absolutes and explore the unknowns. While the process before us is exceedingly difficult, as leaders, it is imperative we project a sense of calm and provide direction to our players to the best of our ability. With so much unknown at this time, we gain greater credibility with our players with complete transparency while relying upon our experience to connect the dots for our players to explain what we anticipate the future of college and pro baseball to look like for them. Over the coming weeks I will discuss what we do and don’t know in these unprecedented times in the baseball world and the roles various aspects of player development and communication are likely to play going forward.
As for the near term, it would appear that in roughly 10 short weeks, the biggest summer of any collegiate baseball player’s career will begin. With the MLB First-Year Player Draft (the official name of the draft) being shortened to just 5 rounds this summer and likely 20 rounds in 2021, showcasing talent has never been more important. As a result, roughly 1000 fewer eligible players will not hear their names called in this summer’s draft, meaning summer leagues will be more popular than ever. Competition levels will rise and undiscovered players will have an even greater chance to make a name for themselves on the summer circuit as they compete against guys who in any other year would have gone in the top ten rounds. Given the shortened 2020 season, one can reasonably assume that hundreds of college players and graduating high school seniors who would have been drafted in rounds 6-40 will now be madly scrambling to find a place to play this summer, creating a surplus of players in leagues across the country. It’s premature to know exactly how summer team owners will manage the sudden influx of top level talent, since most rosters have been filled for months. Whether they stick to their current rosters or start releasing guys to make room for guys who were projected draft level talent, the logical extension is that there will be a major trickle-down effect in regards to talent into lower ranking leagues. Consequently, putting a guy in a top 5 rated league may not be quite as important as it once was as the the overall talent pool increases.
That being said, cultivating talent has never been more important. In response to a dramatically reduced pool of players being drafted going forward, it is equally likely a sizable percentage of players will intensify their summer training programs. Players will immediately realize that with smaller draft numbers, every uptick in velocity, every extra foot of ball carry, and every millisecond off of a 60 yard dash matters more now than it ever did before. I would never advocate for showcases as a measure of a baseball player’s true ability to play the game, but scouts will look first for players who meet the eye test, even though these very same players may not necessarily be the guys that do the little things to put tallies in the win column. As objective numbers and metrics become increasingly important, it stands to reason that many fringe draft players will migrate to training facilities or player development focused summer leagues.
So what information can you provide to your players at this time in regards to summer baseball? With limited draft numbers, scouting seemingly becomes easier, at least for the scouts, but it is our job as coaches and developers to make it increasingly difficult. Our guidance is more crucial than ever at this time, so as we examine the outlook of summer ball going forward, there are a few major points we should all stress.
1) Only showcase what is ready to be showcased. In most cases, a player gets one chance to impress a scout. Regardless of how they perform at a pro day or in a game, results often aren’t enough anymore. Scouts want to see metrics that go with the results. Whether those metrics are a specific spin rate, a velocity, a 60 time, or a bat speed, playing in front of a scout too soon may simply be showing a scout that a player is not ready for the next level. Do not give them a reason to check you off their watch list. If a player is not ready, there are plenty of great training organizations with summer programs around the country. Additionally, non-traditional summer leagues have popped up around the country with a greater focus being placed on instruction and development than showcasing talent. Players should not be afraid to take the road less traveled.
2) Do your research, and find the right fit. When it comes to a summer ball, the biggest name team or league may not always be best. Now more than ever, an opportunity to compete is most important. If a player is ready to showcase his skills, he needs to be on the field showcasing those very skills. Talent is going to be well dispersed, and enough data is readily available that the league does not nearly as much matter as it once did. As one pro scout told me just last week, if someone is throwing 93mph in a men’s league, our organization will find out. Even if you elect to go with the non-traditional approach to summer baseball, fit matters immensely. Training programs and leagues differ drastically so carefully assess the differences in each program or league and understand how each can impact a player’s career going forward, both through training and potential connections.
3) Develop a plan. This includes defining goals and determining what an ideal summer would look like for every one of your players. This may include developmental or on field performance goals, skill acquisition, athleticism enhancement, or even school work. Having a plan inspires calculated, purpose-driven action, and with that action, comes results. There is enough to worry about during any baseball season. Do not let a daily training plan or online class schedule add to that stress. No, the plan won’t go exactly as expected, but keeping the end goal in mind gives direction to any winding path. If this is a major area of concern please do not hesitate to reach out. I have a few FREE and easily applied resources that can be of immediate assistance.
Summer ball in 2020 will be different than anything we have ever witnessed before. The huge migration of talent from what would be rookie ball into the collegiate leagues across the country will incite spikes in competition across all summer leagues as a rising tide raises all ships. That said, it is more important than ever to recognize the impact this summer will have on players going forward. With decreased draft numbers, scouts are searching for big league level projections, not developmental projects. Thus, if players are not ready to showcase their talent, playing in a traditional summer league is not a necessity. Development focused leagues and training programs are extremely viable options. This is why it is imperative to find the right fit and develop a plan for each player. Obviously, a lot goes into making the right decision for this summer. Take a step back and weigh the options. A plan can go a long way.
Thanks again,
Adam Moreau, MBA, CSCS
Director of Player Development and Recruiting Coordinator
Eckerd College
419-250-7243
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